Toy building-blocks.



H. v. WESCHE. TOY BUILDING BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZI. 1918;

1,286,462. Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

MuonIo:

wot/Mu H. V. WESCHE.

TOY BUILDING BLOCKS. APPLICATION H LED MAY 21. ms.

Patented Deg. 3, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 pli" e E PM I. I M, M/ I r J r M I Qilfil 0 2 0 7/ 1 2 1 l w a 0 1 H. V. WESCHE.

TOY BUI LDING BLOCKS. APPLICATION FILED MAY21. 1918.

1,286,462. w Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- H. v. WESCHE. TOY BUILDING BLOCKS.

7 APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 19l8. 1,286,462. Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

HENRY WESCHE, OF .LASQUETI ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.

TOY BUILDING-BLOCKS.

Application filed May 21.1918.

To all who) it may I'UHI'f/Il Be it. known that 1. lllcxuY riscnic. subject of the Kin of Great Britain. resident of Lasqueti lsiand. in the Province ot British Columbia. Dominion ol' tanada. have invented certain ncvv and uset'ul Improvements in Toy Building-lilocks. ot which the following is a spta'ification.

This invention relates to toy building structures, and has for one of its objects to provide a plurality of units ot. various lengths and size and adapted to be coupled whereby structures of various forms may be erected.

' Another obje t of the invention to provide a plurality of units of varying lengths and a plurality of coupling devices which may be applied to the units to enable them to be temporarily united to produce structures of varying forms.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel f atures of construction, as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out. in the claims; and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment oi the inventi'om- Figures 1 to 7 are perspective vievvs ol' the various units whereby the various structures may be erected.

Figs. 3 and t are perspective views of structures erected by the improved units, illustrating the adaptability ot the device to the erection of structures 01' various forms.

Fig. 10 is a detail illustrating the manner of coupling tvvo of the units.

Fig. 11 is a side. elevation. partly in sec tion, illustrating the manner of coupling a plurality of the units.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the constructing units with one of the coupling devices applied.

Fig. 13 represents.various forms of the. coupling devices.

Fig. 11 represents a canopy or root shaped member which may be employed to illustrate a porch roof or the like.

Fig. 13 represents a panel unit adapted to be engaged with the other units.

The improved device includes a plurality oi units of various lengths adapted to be coupled to form structures of variousforms, the units being preterably of wood. thoroughly seasoned to prevent shrinkage by exposure. One of a set of the units is illus- Specification of Letters Patent.

atented Dec. 3, 1918.

Serial No. 235.844.

trated in Fig. 1. by the character 10. and is substantially stltlat'c transverely with a pin receiving socket 11 in each end.

Another of the units is illustrated in Fig. 2 at- 12. being oblong transversely. liach of the units 12 is provided with a plurality of pin receiving apertures 12, corresponding in area to the sockets 11. Another one ot a set; of units is illustrated in Fig. 13 at It. and is similar to the units 12 except that it lacks the pin receiving apertures 13. unit of another setis illustrated in Fig. -.lby the haracter 11-. said unit corresponding transversely to the. units 12 and being provided with beveled ends as sho\vn at 15. Another one of a set of the units is re iresented in Fig. 5 and designated by the character 17 with the tapered ends 13 and provided with pin receiving apertures 18. One or more of the units will likewise be formed as shown in Fig. (3 by the character 19. with one side thereof reduced toward the center from each end, as shown at Qtl. All oi the. units except the units it) are preferably oblong transversely. and each ot the units is provided with longitudinally directed channels 21 in their side faces. plurality of pins, one of which is shown at 22 in Fig. 11 are provided and adapted to lit in the sockets 11 of the units 10 and pass through the apertures 13 or 18 oi. the units 12 or 17.

A plurality of coupling devices are provided to enable the various units to be detachably united to support the structure which is erected thereby in position. Each of the coupling devices is formed from a strip of wire bent substantially into U-shape with the arms or sides 23 adapted to enter the channels '21 at the ends ot a unit with the portion 21 between the arms extending beyond the unit in which it is supported as illustrated in Figs. 11, and 12. the extended portions of the coupling devices being adapted to enter the channels 21 of an adjacent unit and thus ten'iporarily couple the units and hold them in position. 13 providing a plurality of the various units 01' ditj rent lengths it will b obvious that various structures representing houses. churches. bridges. tables. chairs and the like may be erected by arranging the various units in position and coupling them by the devices illustrated in Fig. 13. For illustration in Fig. 8 a church-like structure is formed by coupling the various units together. and it is obvious that the deconstructed from the units illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5.

A foui tion member will likewise be provided as illustrated in Fig. 7. T he loundation member comprises an oblong base or box 25 having a plurality of sockets 26 formed thereinin spaced relation to n eive the lower ends of a plurality of the pins 22. Foundation members of the like character are shown in Fig. 9, to illustrate the manner of using the same.

The improved device is simple in construction, and may be utilized to instruct and amuse children and to encourage and stimulate their imaginative and constructive characteristics.

In Fig. 14: a roof or canopy forming member is shown and designated by the character 27 with its upper edge bent at 29 to enter one of the channels 21 or between a pair of the units, and with its ends 30 bent to enter the channels of adjacent unitsf The manner of employing the roof or canopy forming member is illustrated in Fig. 8.

A plurality of flat filler plates or panels 31 may likewise be employediand engaged by their edges in the channels 21, so asto cause the structure to present the appear ance of having imperlorate walls.

The intermediate portions 24 oi the coupling devices which are employed in connection with the beveled terminals, 15, will be. directed at an angle to the side portions 23, as shown in Fi 13 to enable the beveled terminals to be coupled to the other units as illustrated at the left in Fig. 11.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. Toy structural material including a pluality of units substantially rectangular transversely and having sockets in the ends, a plurality of units substantially oblong transversely and having transterse aperturcs, a plurality of units substantially oblong transversely and having transverse apertures and beveled ends, each of said units having longitudinallv directed channels in their side faces, a plurality of pins adapted to engage in said sockets and through said apertures, and a plurality of substantially U-shaped coupling devices supported by their legs in the channels of one unit and adapted to engage at the bend in the channel oi" an adjoining unit.

2. Toy structural material including a plurality of units having end sockets and longitudinally directed side channels, a plural: ity of units having longitudinally directed side channels and transverse apertures, a plurality of pins adapted to engage said sockets and apertures, and a plurality of coupling devices in substantially Ushape with the sides adapted to engage in the channels at the ends of one of the units and with the intervening portion thereof adapted. to

engage in one of the side channels of an.-

other of the units.

3. Toy structural material including a plurality of ,units having longitudinally directed side channels, and a plurality of coupling devices in substantially U-shape with the sides adapted to engage in the channels at the ends of one of the units and with the int.eri-'cning portions adapted to engage in one of the side channels 'of another of the units.

4. Toy structural material including a plurality of units having end sockets and longitudinally directed side channels, a plurality of units having longitudinally directed side channels and transverse apertures intersecting said side channels, pins adapted to engage said so:kcts and apertures, and a coupling member fitting in the longitudinal channels'ol one unit and engaging in one of the longitudinal clninnels of another unit.

Toy structural material including a'plurality of units having sockets in their ends and provided with longitudinal channels, a plurality of units having transverse apertures, 1')lllS'{l(lflI)l0(l}t0 engage in said sockets and through said apertures, and a substantially U-shapcd coupling member fitting within the longitudinal channels of one unit and adapted to engage the longitudinal channel o'l an adjacent unit.

(3. Toy structural material including a foundation unit having spaced sockets therein, a. plurality of units having sockets in their ends and provided with longitudinal channels, a plurality of units having longhtudinally directed side channels and transverse apertures intersecting said side channels, pins adapted to fit. in the sockets of the foundation unit and extend through said apertures, and a coupling member fitting within the longitudinal channels of one unit and adapted to engage the longitudinal channel of another unit. v

7. Toy structural material includingaplurality ol units having end sockets and longitudinally directed side channels, a plurality of units having transverse apertures, pins adapted to engage in said sockets and through said apertures, and'a canopy forming unit having a laterally extending edge adapted to fit in thelongitudinal side channel oi one of the units.

8. Toy structural material including a plurality of units having end sockets and longitudinally directed side channels, other units having longitudinal side channels and beveled ends and provided with transverse apertures, pins adapted to engage said soclt ets and a 'iertures, and coupling devices fitting within the channels of the beveled units and conforming to the shape of beveled ends of the said units and projecting Within the longitudinal channels of .the adjacent units.

sockets and others with transverse aper tures, pins seated in said sockets and extending through the apertures, and coupling devices fitting in the channels of certain of the units and adapted to enter the channels of adjacent units.

10. Toy structural material including a plurality of elongated interchangeable units,

each provided with longitudinally directed side channels, certain of the units having sockets formed in the ends thereof, others being provided with transverse apertures and still others with oppositely disposed beveled ends, pins seated in the sockets and extending through the transverse apertures,

and coupling devices seated in the channels of the units and provided with intermediate portions extending across the adjacent ends of said units and adapted to fit in the channel of an adjacent unit when said units are assembled to form a structure.

. In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HENRY V. WESCHE. [1,. s.] 

